Old Napier Hill Cemetery September 2020

It hadn't really occurred to us before, that an old cemetery might, in fact, be a wild place. But the more that we visit here in the old Napier Hill cemetery, the more that we understand this to be a precious and sacred space- where those that lay at rest are woven in to the landscape amidst the wild flowers, the weeds, the remembered, the tended and the forgotten. 

This garden of peace doesn't fuss or fret- it thrives and adapts with a little human tending from time to time.

Many of the plantings have been offered or established in another time, quite probably long forgotten. Yet, the plants remember, multiply and create a home for themselves amidst the memorials and stories. 

We no longer feel awkward wandering in to cemeteries with our picnic baskets. A little walk around to get the feel of the season and the particular visit, is quite a good idea- so much can change between visits. 

On this occasion, being early spring we came upon a sweet spot with the Chippings. 

Annie's English bluebells made us feel right at home. 

Egg and asparagus sandwiches made with Vogel's- quite perfect.

There is much crumbling and dishevelment amidst the graves, yet I have the feeling that no one here really minds- it's the living that fuss about such things.

Early centranthus ruber coccinues beginning to awaken.

It was a surprise to discover a large quantity of both blue & white Cuban lilies, all happily settled in and naturalised.

We so often think of early spring flowers as being daffodils and jonquils, but here there are so many blues- grape hyacinths, bluebells, Cuban lilies, echiums, irises and true geraniums.

This is not a place that can be rushed, in fact, if you try to bustle around you may well come to grief. Unexpected obstacles abound! 

Being enveloped by the sentiments and language of loss of loved ones, beliefs and preferences of the past is a fascinating experience.

Statements of strength and endurance may be found in the least expected spots.

Some plants are purely opportunists like this onion weed- which, I might add, we have come to value greatly- a resilient, prolific and fully edible wild plant. We use the flowers, leaves or bulbs in our meals most days.

Tree covered pathways beg our exploration.

Sometimes leading us to the most remarkable of discoveries. And here we were wandering and observing and just being present, when all of a sudden there was a flurry of flight and feathers and a large bird passed overhead and landed high up in an oak tree ahead of us. 

We had no idea what the bird was, so I simply attempted to photograph it as best as I could- all the while it was blasting out a rendition of "Napier Hill Tui Song". Soon a Tui joined the Kaka and then when noticed just how large the bird was. We were able to confirm that this was indeed an indigenous and endangered native parrot- a Kaka. Perhaps, a once in a life time sighting. 

The euphorbias synchronise themselves with the Plane trees emergent life green leaves and blend perfectly with the many "Breaths of heaven".

Various rock roses thrive here too.

Sometimes things gone awry, are best mended. if only we could settle to the fact that lovingly made repairs in life are sometimes a fine and sufficient gift too- just add flowers.  

We have discovered both here in the Old Napier Hill cemetery and the oldest parts of the cemetery at Park Island have been well planted with a prostrate form of Juniper- this one has taken to cascading down the hill like a waterfall. Many of these plants may have survived and adapted for over 100 years.

I like to read some of the stories, but mostly I like to just wander and observe. It's not very restful reading other people's tragedies and losses. But some names and sentiments are just charming- Violet Ethel Sweetapple. I bet she had the sweetest pinnies and a joy fine rolling pin.

Echiums thrive in the limey well drained soil. What a grand statement they make.

Yes, I do find all this spring blue quite surprising, don't you?

Sentinel. Keeping watch- beautifully.

I discovered a fascinating article after writing this post entitled "Remembering When Americans Picnicked In Cemeteries- for a time eating and relaxing amongst the dead was a national pastime."

Oh my- it surely was! 

A small group picnics on ledger-style tombstones in Historic St. Luke's Ancient Cemetery. The photo is not dated but is believed to have been taken prior to St. Luke's 1957 Pilgrimage Service. COURTESY HISTORIC ST. LUKE'S

The Blue Soldiers of Pandora

A couple of years ago we were driving past this strange little parcel of land at Pandora when I noticed orange wild flowers in the distance. Ever inquisitive, we decided to stop and see what they were- not only did we find a lot of wild calendula flowers in shades of orange and yellow, but also a glorious, fragrant blue carpet of grape hyacinths. The further we wandered the more we found. I'm amazed that these old fashioned cottage garden bulbs are so deliriously happy to live beside the sea. Over the years they have merrily multiplied and there are now hundreds of thousands of them.

The beginning of Spring is a perfect time to visit and if you can manage a still sunshiney day, then a picnic amidst the Blue Soldiers is a grand way to welcome the season.

 Homemade food tastes amazing eaten in the fresh air out-of-doors. This rustic French Apple Tart has become a winter favourite of ours and is perfect for adventures and picnics in the wild.

 The violet jellies are so easy to make and so delicious. Made with violets and honey and set with gelatine they are not only divine but also a lovely medicine. Violet is wonderful for helping to moisten dry irritated mucousa that is challenged by the pollen load of the season.

 I have loved the musky, sweet fragrance of grape hyacinths since childhood. Isn't it amazing how with the slightest whiff of a particular scent we can be entirely transported to another time and place (and age!).

 We were delighted to note, as we picked these sweet flowers, that the bees just adore them too.

 Many years ago there were old cottages on this little piece of land beside the estuary. They must have buried all their rubbish in the back yard as there is a peculiar phenomenon of things resurfacing: odd objects, broken china, car parts, old bottles and cans and other bits and bobs. There's a walnut and a plum tree, a wide variety of spring bulbs and irises that have continued to make themselves at home long after the people have left and the houses vanished.

 No doubt the calendula flowers are a legacy of this little bit of history too.

These resilient plants favour the cooler months, so now is a great time to harvest the flowers to infuse in oil, tincture and dry. A compress of calendula blossoms was a healing boon to Rob a few weeks ago when his right eye suddenly developed a fairly severe case of conjunctivitis.- pollen and dusts from the process of re-roofing our house, most likely the cause.

 It's amazing how many people walk on by never knowing that such a treasure of a wild garden exists.

You do have to keep an eye out for tricky bits of blackberry and rabbit holes and other odd obstacles, but if you wander slowly there are more and more treasures to be found. I've never seen freesias quite like these before.

Beach beet lines the margin between the estuary and the solid ground. The rabbits think that it's been grown just for them, but if you're lucky you can sometimes find a sweet patch of tender leaves.

 There are native Ngaio and Karo bushes jostling one another through out the area, providing pretty flowers and a much needed wind break for visitors and gentle flowers alike.

You don't really think of the early spring flowers being quite so blue. It was such a joy to sit in the very midst of them, appreciate their company and watching the joy of the visiting bees.

 Picnicking with wildflowers is like visiting with dear friends.

 We then headed up to Eskdale to stock up on sweet navel oranges for our little fruit stall and then continued on the Napier Wairoa road to the Tangoio Falls scenic reserve. This lovely piece of native forest sits just under "The Devil's Elbow" which is a peculiar place for a nature reserve as there is a continuous stream of passing trucks going by- some changing up, some changing down; grinding through the gears. Certainly not a peaceful natural setting. The lower trail wanders through old poplar trees (not yet leaf renewed in early spring). How wonderful to be ushered along the path way to the waterfalls by a sentinel of Kawakawa bushes

 -a wonderful native plant that is very useful infused in oil as a healing salve for the skin.

 The leaves are heart shaped and of simple form. It is told that the grandparent leaves should be picked not the young ones at the tips, otherwise the growing parts of the plant will be inhibited.

So lovely to come upon this patch of periwinkle (more early spring blue) overlooking the most beautiful little river.

 The moss covered rocks shine in verdant green.

 This water of the Kareaara stream sings and plays and is filled with joy in it's journey.

 Te Ana is the first waterfall on the journey. Not far really- a 2 1/2 km walk there and back to the carpark, or another 15 minutes of good uphill slog to get to the top falls via a stand of redwood trees.

 That was just enough for us today.

 A lovely place to come back to any time of the year.